By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

STOKE Gabriel’s have recruited South African batter Joshua Arendse to strengthen their promotion push in the C Division West.

Arendse, who hails from Western Province, made an instant impact when he first arrived in the UK to play for Long Melford in the Suffolk Two Counties League.

In a 24-game Division Two season the powerful right-handed totted up 1010 runs at an average of 59.41. Three tons and six 50s boosted his tally.

Arendse turned up at Devon Premier side Exeter in 2019 as a last-minute replacement for New Zealander Phil Macready. He more than held his own in the top-flight, making 374 runs at an average in the mid-20s with a season’s best of 72 against Sidmouth.